Sweet Orange Tree Named &#39;OLL-8&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct sweet orange clone ‘OLL-8’ has been developed from an unstable sweet orange selection, designated as ‘OLL’, using tissue culture techniques. Undeveloped ovules from fruit of selection ‘OLL’ were cultured in vitro to generate an embryogenic callus, from which multiple independent clones were regenerated via somatic embryogenesis. Regenerated plantlets (somaclones) were grafted to Swingle citrumelo rootstock and grown in the field for evaluation. Sweet orange clone ‘OLL-8’ was the most precocious bearing clone among the somaclone population, and thus the first to be selected for release, based on its stable propagation and outstanding qualities. ‘OLL-8’ produces high yields of high quality fruit, with exceptional flavor and juice color. It is expected to make a significant contribution to the sweet orange portfolio available to the not-from-concentrate juice producers in Florida and around the world. It also has potential as a fresh fruit cultivar, making it a dual-use fruit.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Citrus sinensis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘OLL-8’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of sweet orange tree named ‘OLL-8’. ‘OLL-8’ is a somaclone regenerated from embryogenic callus (tissue culture) of ‘Orie Lee Late’ (‘OLL’) sweet orange (unpatented), with high-quality fruit that usually matures in the standard ‘Valencia’ (unpatented) time period. ‘OLL’ is believed to be an irradiation-induced mutant line originating from Pineapple sweet orange in an abandoned USDA trial attempting to generate a seedless Pineapple orange. ‘OLL’ attracted attention because it never dropped fruit, a serious problem with Pineapple, and held quality late into the summer. Propagations of ‘OLL’ were not uniform and included some trees of poor growth and productivity, as well as robust high-yielding trees. In efforts to generate genetically stable clones from the ‘OLL’ selection, tissue cultures (embryogenic callus) were established for the creation of somaclones. ‘OLL-8’ was the most precocious bearing tree among the population of somaclones regenerated. Trueness-to-type of ‘OLL-8’ was demonstrated by topworking two trees to Swingle citrumelo rootstock in CREC Block 18-North 40. Topworked trees are stable and productive, producing true-to-type fruit (for 4 consecutive years). In addition, young trees propagated on various rootstocks are stable and produce true-to-type fruit at multiple trial locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Sweet orange selection ‘OLL-8’ produces round oranges with internal and external color significantly higher than that of standard ‘Valencia’ and often exceeds that of ‘Rhode Red Valencia’ (Table 1). Fruit holds on the tree exceptionally well, and maintains quality into the summer. ‘OLL’ seedling trees (including ‘OLL-8’) have shown good drought tolerance in the greenhouse, as overgrown trees in small pots rarely wilt, compared to other sweet orange seedlings, and ‘OLL’ somaclone field trees in general have shown better cold-tolerance in the previous two freezes than ‘Valencia’ trees in the same trial block. This apparent improved stress tolerance may be useful in the fight against Huanglongbing disease. Although minimal formal yield data is available, trees of ‘OLL-8’ appear to yield better than standard ‘Valencia’. The original ‘OLL-8’ tree yielded more than five 90-lb boxes of fruit in 2012 (8-year old tree). Sensory (taste panel) analyses have repeatedly indicated that ‘OLL-8’ has a favorable ‘Valencia’-like flavor profile. Therefore, ‘OLL-8’ has potential to improve the not-from-concentrate (NFC) portfolios of citrus juice processors. ‘OLL-8’ fruit generally has high juice content and produces a good number of pounds of solids. ‘OLL-8’ peels easier than a standard ‘Valencia’, but still requires quadrant scoring for clean peeling when grown under Florida conditions. With its added color, ‘OLL-8’ could also be a valuable addition to the Florida fresh market portfolio.

Fruit of ‘OLL-8’ cannot be distinguished from the fruit of the original ‘OLL’ tree. However, the ‘OLL-8’ tree itself represents a significant improvement, since it has beneficial traits that can be stably propagated, whereas the tree ‘OLL’ cannot.

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘OLL-8’ with Selected Varieties May, 2008 June, 2008 April, 2012 ‘Valencia’ 37.31 39.90 37.47 ‘Rhode Red 38.21 40.60 38.60 Valencia’ ‘OLL-8’ 40.52 41.80 39.62

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

‘OLL-8’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the tree's form, foliage and fruit. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1—Shows a close-up of the mature fruit with the rind present and cross-sectional view of the fruit when cut in the center (February, 2011).

FIG. 2—Shows the original ‘OLL-8’ tree on Swingle citrumelo rootstock, planted East of St. Cloud, Fla. (February, 2011).

FIG. 3—Shows a top-worked tree of ‘OLL-8’ onto Swingle citrumelo in Lake Alfred, Fla. (February, 2011).

FIG. 4—Shows a close-up view of ‘OLL-8’ sweet orange fruit (February, 2011).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION Phenotypic Description of Citrus sinensis ‘OLL-8’

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Citrus sinensis.         -   Common name.—Sweet orange. -   Parentage: ‘OLL’ (‘Orie Lee Late’) sweet orange tree, believed to     have originated from a 40+year old abandoned USDA irradiated     Pineapple sweet orange trial. -   Tree:     -   -   Ploidy.—Diploid.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Tree height.—3.4 to 3.6 m.         -   Tree spread.—3 to 3.2 m.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Density.—Canopies are quite dense.         -   Form.—The shape of the tree is obloid with upright and             lateral branches growing, but tending toward medium angles             after fruit has commenced.         -   Growth habit (current season).—Drooping. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—10 to 11 cm at 30 cm height above the             ground.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth.         -   Trunk bark color.—RHS 197A (greyed-green), irregularly             striated with RHS N200 (brown). -   Branches:     -   -   Branch length.—2.8 to 3 m from first crotch to the tip of             leaf branch.         -   Branch texture.—Relatively smooth with small thorns or             spines.         -   Branch color (shoots from previous flush, hardened, and 4 to             5 mm in diameter).—RHS 138A (green). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length: 105 mm Width: 48 mm.         -   L/W ratio.—2.1 to 2.2.         -   Thickness.—Regular and average for commercial mandarin             hybrids.         -   Type.—Simple.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Acute to sub-obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire, slightly undulate.         -   Surface.—Upper surface: Glabrous Lower surface: Medium veins             that are pinnately netted.         -   Color.—Upper surface (adaxial): RHS 137A (green) Lower             surface (abaxial): RHS 137C (green).         -   Petiole.—Shape: Brevipetiolate (shorter than leaf lamina);             junction between petiole and lamina is articulate. Width             (petiole wing): Narrow Shape (petiole wing): Obovate Length:             13 to 15 mm Width: 2.8 to 3.5 mm Color: RHS 137A (green). -   Flowers and flower buds:     -   -   Type.—Hermaphrodite.         -   Flower bearing (single or cluster).—Flowers grown from leaf             terminals and leaf axillaries. Some branches have flowers             grown in clusters, each cluster consisting of 2 to 6             flowers.         -   Diameter.—Fully open flower with diameter ranging from 30 to             32 mm.         -   Depth.—Typical flower depth, between 19.5 to 20 mm.         -   Blooming period.—First bloom: Observed around mid to late             March. Full bloom: Observed in early April of 2010.         -   Flower bud size.—Length: 2.0 mm for the initial visible             flower bud; 18.7 mm for mature flower bud before fully open.             Diameter: 2.2 mm for the initial visible flower bud; 5.5 to             6 mm for mature flower bud before fully open.         -   Flower bud shape.—Round dome shaped for initial visible             flower bud; mature flower bud with elongated olive shape.         -   Color.—RHS 144D (yellow-green) for initial visible flower             bud.         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Flower petals.—Number: 5 Length: 21.0 to 22.0 mm on average             Width: 8.0 mm on average Shape: Flat spatula shaped Apex             shape: Smooth acute shaped Base shape: Even obtuse.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 155D (white) to RHS 155C (white)             Lower surface: RHSNN 155A (white) with RHS 150D             (yellow-green) spots distributed toward the petal apex             Margin: Smooth.         -   Sepal.—Number (per flower): 3 to 5 per flower Shape: Short             flat delta with acute angle at apex Length: 2.8 mm Width:             1.8 to 3.6 mm Apex shape: Acute angle at apex Margin:             Smooth.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 157B (green-white) Lower surface:             RHSN157B (green-white).         -   Pedicel.—Number: 5 Length: 7 to 7.8 mm Diameter: 0.8 to 1.0             mm Color RHS: RHS 144D (yellow-green).         -   Stamen.—Length: 13 to 14.8 mm.         -   Anther.—Length: 3.0 to 3.2 mm Width: 1.0 mm.         -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: 12.2 mm.         -   Style length: 8.9 mm.         -   Style diameter.—0.8 to 1 mm.         -   Style color RHS.—RHS 144D (yellow-green).         -   Ovary shape.—Oval shaped.         -   Ovary diameter.—2.6 mm.         -   Ovary color RHS.—RHSNN144D (yellow-green).         -   Blossom period.—In late March to early April in Central             Florida.         -   Fragrance.—Fragrant. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit weight.—180 to 205 g on average.         -   Size.—Uniform.         -   Diameter.—74.4 mm on average.         -   Length.—73.6 mm on average.         -   Shape.—Round and earth-shaped.         -   Shape (cross-section).—Round.         -   Apex.—Truncated with shallow dent mark.         -   Base.—No neck, with slightly rough peel surface. -   Skin:     -   -   Adherence.—Albedo (mesocarp) to fresh (endocarp) is strong             and relatively difficult to separate.         -   Thickness.—3 to 4 mm, thin to medium compared to other             commercial sweet orange varieties.         -   Texture.—Firm.         -   Color.—Flavedo (epicarp): RHS 23A (yellow-orange) Albedo             (mesocarp): RHS 16C (yellow-orange) Stylar end: Closed.         -   Oil cell density.—176 to 180 oil cells per square             centimeter. -   Flesh:     -   -   Number of segments.—9 to 10 segments per fruit on average.         -   Segment walls.—Soft, but of sufficient strength to maintain             integrity as separated.         -   Juice.—Abundant.         -   Color.—Uniformly RHS 25B (orange).         -   Texture.—Soft.         -   Vesicles.—Medium thickness Length: 14.2 to 14.4 mm on             average Width: 2.5 to 2.6 mm on average.         -   Eating quality (data from late April, 2008).—Sucrose content             (average Brix): 13.7 Acidity (average): 0.85 Sugar acid             ratio: 15.5. -   Seeds:     -   -   Type.—Polyembryonic.         -   Number.—Ranges from 1 to 5, usually 4 to 5.         -   Shape.—Variable: clavate/club shaped to deltoid shaped.         -   Size.—Length: 2.5 to 4.5 mm on average. Width: 7.5 to 9 mm             on average.         -   Seed coat color.—Outer Surface: RHS 155A (white) and             slightly wrinkled Inner surface: RHS 165C (greyed-orange).         -   Cotyledon color.—RHS 155A (white). -   Resistance to disease: No obvious tree-debilitating disease problems     have been observed in the trees or fruit currently grown, but     systematic resistance testing has not been explored. Citrus canker     lesions have been found on leaves and a few fruit of somaclone     ‘OLL-8’, suggesting that its canker tolerance is less than that of     ‘Valencia’, and probably more similar to that of ‘Hamlin’. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of sweet orange tree as illustrated and described herein. 